It was an obvious ploy, and Knox refused to fall for it. But Bennett was too caught up in what was happening to realise she was being tricked.

‘You need to leave the lady alone,’ she said.

‘Ah, American,’ Medev replied. ‘I must have our records updated. We didn’t think the CIA had any female agents in Europe.’

‘Maybe Soviet intelligence isn’t as smart as it thinks it is,’ Bennett said.

‘Maybe.’ Medev smiled at her. ‘The world is full of surprises.’ He turned to Knox. ‘And you? Do you work for the CIA also?’

Knox couldn’t avoid a direct question. But he also didn’t want to give Medev any more ammunition. So he just said, ‘No.’

‘British? Then, my friend, I think you do,’ Medev said with a chuckle. ‘But who we are really is not so important. This is about Miss Valera, and what she wants.’

He stood up, gesturing for Bennett to take his place on the bench. But before she could sit down next to Valera and recite the speech she’d prepared about everything America had to offer her, about how important her research was, and how she and the CIA could work together to create a safer, better world, a crimson plume erupted from Medev’s forehead.

Blood splattered Valera as his lifeless body slumped back down onto the bench. She screamed, but it was drowned out by the sound of more shots being fired at them and Knox shouting for all of them to get down.

Three men wearing balaclavas and dressed completely in black ran towards them. Two of them had their guns raised at Knox and Bennett, covering the third, who lunged for Valera, still sitting on the bench, motionless from the shock of seeing Medev die in front of her. But as soon as his gloved hand touched her arm she burst back into life, much to her attacker’s surprise, shaking off his grip and launching herself off the bench.

Knox and Bennett seized the momentary distraction and both rushed their attackers, grabbing the guns pointed at them and trying to wrestle them away. Bennett was much smaller than her assailant, but she was faster. She weaved around him, twisting and pulling on his wrist so he couldn’t grab hold of her or get off another shot.

Knox’s opponent was a tougher customer. Every move he made against him was instantly countered. Knox took multiple hits to his head, and his side, which was still tender from the kicking he’d taken in Strand station.

Valera made it almost twenty feet from the bench before a gloved hand grabbed her again and slammed her down into the ground, stunning her for a moment before she started kicking and screaming at the man standing over her.